LORETTO, PA-  The Saint Francis women's polo team under the direction of head coach Patrick Beemer is proud to announce the 2016 recruiting class, the first class in program history. The team will begin play in January of 2017.
 

	Melani Aghazarian/Utility Player/Glendale, AZ/ Los Angeles Valley College -Teammate of fellow recruit Tina Bonilla...Helped lead Valley College to an 18-7 record and 8-1 in conference and a birth in the conference title game - Named First team All-league and First team All-Area -Coach Beemer on Aghazarian, "Mel brings a wealth of experience to the team as well as a tenacious competitive spirit.  I'll look to her to be a vocal leader both in and out of the water."
	Aimee Baur/Defender/North Wales, PA/North Penn - A decorated high school water polo player earning: PA 1st Team All-State 2014, PA 1st Team All-Conference 2014, Suburban 1 1st Team All-League 2014, AWP Scholar Athlete Award 2015, Beast of the East 1st Team 2015, PA 2nd Team All-Conference 2014, Suburban 1 2nd Team All-League, PA Freshman All-State Award 2012 - Helped North Penn to two state titles in 2012 and 2014 -Will also swim for Saint Francis -Coach Beemer on Baur, " Aimee is tough really quick in the water, her abilities in the water don't end there.  She's got strong moves on the post and her length is a great asset as a defender."
	Tina Bonilla/Attacker/Los Angeles, CA/Los Angeles Valley College -Teammate of fellow recruit Mel Aghazarian...Helped lead Valley College to an 18-7 record and 8-1 in conference and a birth in the conference title game -Scored 32 goals in 19 matches in 2015 -Coach Beemer on Bonilla:"Tina has a great sense of awareness in the pool and being a lefty is certainly an advantage.  She has the ability to facilitate the offense by setting up her teammates or by being an effective shooter."
	Kelly Fehr/Center/Erie, PA/Villa Maria Academy -Named First-Team All-State as a senior -Named an Academic All-American by USA Water Polo -Coach Beemer on Fehr: "Kelly is a true center and I would imagine she'll continue on her current path of punishing defenders in the post.  As a more than viable option at 2-meters, Kelly will open up the offense for both the inside and outside game of her teammates."
	Kelsey Gring/Attacker/Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson -Named First-Team All-State as a senior -Led Wilson in goals (37) and points (98) leading the Bulldogs to a 25-7 record -Coach Beemer on Gring: "– "Kelsey is really fun to watch play.  She challenges defenders twice her size and still earns advantage against them.  She's got a good sense as an attacker that will definitely transcend to the college game."
	Carly Kesterson/Attacker/Glendora, CA/Glendora -Named team captain and MVP as well as First-Teall All-League as a senior -Scored 35 goals and 36 assists in 23 games in senior season -Coach Beemer on Kesterson: ""Carly is a scrappy attacker with a nose for scoring the ball.  She's a player that seems to get better every game and the ceiling for her talent is high."
	Lani Merrill/Utility/San Clemente, CA/Saddleback College -Named second-team All-Conference as a freshman -Coach Beemer on Merrill:"Lani is a great utility player with a fantastic water polo pedigree.  She grew up competing in the heart of Orange County and her years of experience will prove vital in the coming years."
	Erin O'Neill/Utility/Lansdale,PA/North Penn -High school teammate of fellow recruit Aimee Baur -Helped North Penn to two state titles in 2012 and 2014, scored 20 goals in senior season -A decorated high school player: "First Team All Conference: sophomore, junior and senior year; All-State Second Team Sophomore Year; All-State First team Junior year; All American Third Team- Junior Year" -Coach Beemer on O'Neill: "First Team All Conference: sophomore, junior and senior year; All-State Second Team Sophomore Year; All-State First team Junior year; All American Third Team- Junior Year"
	Krysta Ponek/Attacker/Panama City Beach,FL/Utica College -Scored three goals and had five assists in 19 matches for Utica as a freshman -Named Scholar Athlete by Collegiate Water Polo -Coach Beemer on Ponek: ""Krysta has a year of collegiate water polo under her belt in the northeast and this will definitely prove useful as she transitions to Saint Francis.  She's a strong athlete and will add balance to our young roster."
	Emily Wickenheiser/Utility/Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley -3x First Team All-State -Named team MVP as a senior, leading Cumberland Valley to state title -Coach Beemer on Wickenheiser: ""Wick is a true utility player; she can defend, post up, and play as an aggressive attacker.  She brings with her a wealth of experience from high school, club and ODP."
	Kate Wilke/Goalie/Burbank, CA/Burroughs -Earned All-Pacific First-Team honors as a senior -Set a Burroughs record with 12 penalty-shot saves -Beemer on Wilke: ""Kate is a strong goalkeeper and she gets a ton of quality reps every day in club practice.  She's receptive to coaching and will thrive in the college game."